Abstract
<jats:p>This chapter proposes a recovery-and-continuity system for dissertation writing that maintains momentum through disruption by shifting accountability from time spent to small, reviewable artifacts. The system is built around three operating rules: a minimum viable progress mode for “bad weeks,” a persistent “next 3 actions” list embedded at the top of each chapter file, and rapid restart summaries that reconstruct context after gaps. Minimum viable progress is defined as producing one small artifact—such as an annotated outline, a single paragraph, a diagram, or a table shell—that preserves forward motion and reduces the cognitive burden of re-entry. The “next 3 actions” list converts vague intentions into concrete, executable steps and serves as an always-available cue for resuming work without extended planning. Restart summaries provide a brief statement of what was written, why it matters to the chapter's purpose, and the single most useful next step, enabling writers to re-engage quickly after interruptions or competing demands.</jats:p>